Toe Walking and Autism

The Journal of Child Neurology published research on a review of records of 934 children with a history of tight heel cords and toe walking. Toe walking (20.1%) and tight heel cords (12%) were present more often in the 324 children with autism but lower in 30 children with Asperger Syndrome (10% with toe walking and 3% with tight heel cords). The researchers reaffirmed previous research that toe walking is more prevalent in children with autism and are concerned there may be a secondary orthopedic deformity in this population.

Reference: William J. Barrow, Margie Jaworski,and Pasquale J. Accardo. Persistent Toewalking in Autism J Child Neurol 0883073810385344, first published on January 31, 2011 doi:10.1177/0883073810385344